The Attorney General has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record a statement from former National Savings Bank (NSB) Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam regarding the deposit of Rs. 1 million into a bank account linked to the Siriliya Saviya Foundation. The funds were contributed following a request for donations to aid in the purchase of a PET scanner for the Maharagama Apexbase Cancer Hospital.

The investigation was prompted after it was revealed that although the donation appeal originated from a project named Suwa Udana, the money was deposited into the Siriliya Saviya Foundation’s account. Further scrutiny has raised concerns because at the time of the fundraising, confirmation had already been received that a PET scanner, valued at Rs. 50 million, would be donated to the hospital by China.

Sources involved in the inquiry indicate that this overlap has led to suspicions of possible criminal misappropriation of funds, as donations continued to be solicited and collected despite the scanner’s assured donation. Additionally, investigators found that appeals for contributions had been made to several private banks under the pretext of purchasing the scanner.

The CID is currently probing whether these actions constitute fraud by gathering donations for equipment that was to be provided free of charge. Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, PC, has instructed the CID to complete its inquiries and report back to the Attorney General within a week after obtaining Kariyawasam’s statement.